05/15/2026
Just an FYI!
Some very interesting info on which ticks cause which diseases as well as some unknown to some symptoms.
But instead of Deet please use our natural Repellents that actually work for you, your kids and your pets.
Less than 24 Hours after posting about Ticks and advising that Thru Hikers and Backpackers carry the extra weight of a brush, I was awoken at 4:30 in the morning by something. God's Grace? I reached towards the back of my head and felt this American Dog Tick attacked to my scalp. Ugh...Wanna talk about waking up quickly? OH BOY!!!. There's no going back to sleep after that. It's time for another tick check and some soul searching. Ticks are scary...and they should because some of them are deadly.
The common knowledge amongst the non hikers is "Lyme Disease". Heck, they even pluralize it. HA!... But, Lyme Disease shouldn't be your biggest fear when it comes to Ticks.
Lyme Disease is terrible. It's caused by The Black Legged Deer Tick and The Western Black Legged Tick. (NOT BILL GATES). Lyme Disease causes life long debilitating affects. Pray you don't get it or be one of those idiots who swear they have it but it hasn't kicked in yet. True Story. Some Moron told me that after yellow blazing half his AT Hike.
"Alpha Gal" is the next one on the list. Also horrible. Comes from the Lone Star Stick and causes an allergy to Red Meat...Oh Dear God, Please No!....
The Big 2, I call them. But, they are not as dangerous as "Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever"... An Untreated Bite from The American Dog Tick that has transmitted RMSF and a person can be unalive in 7-9 days. If they make it longer, gangrene sets in on the toes. The initial symptoms can not be ignored. Severe Fever, Severe Muscle Pain, Severe Headache, and Severe Prayers. It's a Nightmare...Doxycycline is an antibiotic. It will cure RMSF...but results can vary if the patient doesn't get treated within the first 5 days...The worst part is the "Wives Tale" that you hear around the campfire. The one where they tell you that a Tick has to be attached for 24 Hours before it can infect you. Too many experts and not enough facts around campfires...Fact is, RMSF can be transmitted if an American Dog Tick is attached for 4 hours....and that's terrifyingly easy to happen....
Folks, Tick Protection is Key when you're outdoors. I am not a fan of spraying chemicals on myself but Id rather use the 40% Deet than be unalive 10 days from now. Permetherin DOES NOT WORK for Thru Hiking. Our 30 Washes happens over a period of a few days with how much we sweat. If it worked, Thru Hikers wouldn't be using Lyme Disease as their excuse for quitting.🤔 Oh Boy. Use The Deet and Protect Yourself From All of The Tick-Borne Illnesses and Then Thank Me Later.
ONWARD!!! ❤️